Vapor generating apparatus



Dec. 31, 1963 G. c. BERGER VAPOR GENERATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 26, 1962 INVENTOR. GZ'OKG'Z' .BZZGZK BY A WW 4' PM ATTOFA/EVS 3,115,872 VAPQR GENERATING APPARATUS George C. Berger, Erskine, Minn. Filed Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 226,427 8 Claims. (Cl. 123-45) This invention relates to a vapor-generating device for use with conventional internal combustion engines and which is connectible to the air filter of the engine to supply water vapor thereto, and is a continuation-in-part application of my co-pending application, Serial No. 155,615.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved vapor-generating device which includes a housing mounted on the exhaust manifold of the engine and being connected to a supply of Water, and having an outlet conduit connected to the air filter through which air is supplied to the carburetor so that the water supplied to that housing will be heated and rapidly vaporized during operation of the engine, and the water vapor thereafter conducted to the air filter for effective mixing with the intake air.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved vapor-generating device for use in increasing the efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines, and including a housing having a reduced end portion connected to and projecting into the exhaust manifold of the engine, a water chamber defining structure mounted Within the housing and communicating therewith, and an inlet conduit connected in communicating relation to the water chamber structure for supplying Water thereto, and an outlet conduit interconnecting the housing with the air filter of the engine so that a continuous supply of water vapor will be conducted to the air filter for thorough and effective mixing therein with the intake air.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved water vapor-generating apparatus of the class described wherein the reduced end portion of the housing is externally threaded to thereby permit precise and accurate adjustment of the housing with respect to the exhaust manifold so that the degree of heating and the subsequent amount of steam or water vapor produced may be accurately controlled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved vapor-generating device of the class described and including a humidity responsive control mechanism within the air filter of the vehicle engine for controlling the amount of water vapor discharged into the air filter.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional internal combustion engine incorporating my novel vaporgenerating device;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the vapor-generating device and with certain parts broken away for clarity; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detailed cross-sectional view of a vehicle air filter illustrating the humidity responsive control mechanism.

Referring now to the drawing it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel and improved vapor-generating device is there shown. My novel vapor-generating device designated generally by the reference numeral is illustrated in FIG. 1 is cooperating relation with respect to a conventional internal combustion engine designated generally by the reference character E. This internal combustion engine it) is of a conventional type employed in most automotive vehicles and includes an exhaust maniice fold 11 through which are passed the exhaust gases produced by the combustion of the atomized gasoline fuel. This exhaust manifold is provided with a threaded aperture 12 as best seen in FIG. 2 which preferably opens upwardly.

The engine E also includes a conventional carburetor device 13 having an air filter 14 connected thereto, the latter supplying the air to the carburetor. As is well known in the art, the carburetor serves to mix air and gasoline so that a vaporized mixture is produced. This is accomplished by forcing the liquid fuel such as gasoline through small jets to be thereafter mixed and atomized with the air in one or more venturi. This atomized or vaporized mixture of gasoline and air is conveyed to the cylinders wherein the mixture is ignited and exploded. As pointed out in my co-pending application, Serial No. 155,615, an addition of a predetermined amount of water vapor serves to produce more efficient combustion of the vaporized mixture of gasoline and air which in turn produces a more eflicient performance of the engine and also producing a substantial reductionin gasoline consumption of the engine.

My novel vapor-generating device 10 uses water vapor which is supplied to the air filter 14 for ready mixture therein with the air which is supplied to the carburetor 13. Thus the proper amount of moisture is supplied to the air so that very eflicient combustion is accomplished. Referring now to FIG. 2 it will be seen that my vaporgenerating device 10 includes a housing 15 which is preferably of cylindrical shape having peripheral walls and being closed at the uppermost end by an upper end wall 16 and closed at the lower end by lower end wall 17. Thus it will be seen that the interior of the housing 15 defines a vapor chamber 18 therewithin which is substantially closed or sealed from the exterior.

The lower end of the housing 15 terminates downwardly in a reduced end portion 19, the latter being externally threaded as at 20 for threaded engagement with the threaded aperture 12 in the exhaust manifold 11. This reduced end portion has a hollow interior 21 which defines a heating sump chamber 21 which projects down wardly into the interior of the exhaust manifold. With this arrangement the housing may be adjusted vertically to vary the amount of the reduced end portion 19 which is extended downwardly into the exhaust manifold 11 so that the rate of heating of the Water may be varied. A suitable lock nut 22 serves to lock the housing 15 in its adjusted relation with respect to the exhaust manifold 11.

An elongate, vertically disposed water-chamber-defining member or structure 23 of substantially cylindrical construction has its upper end rigidly affixed to the innermost surface of the upper end wall 16 and projects downwardly into the vapor chamber 18. It will be noted that this hollow member 23 has its lower end wall 24 disposed in close proximity to the inner surface of the lower end wall 17 of the housing 15. The interior of this hollow member 23 defines a water chamber 25 which is substantially sealed from the vapor chamber 18 except for a small discharge orifice or aperture 26 located adjacent the lower end wall 24 thereof. It will therefore be seen that when water is supplied to the water chamber 25, water may pass through the discharge aperture 26 into the vapor chamber 18 and thereafter into the heating sump chamber 21 to be readily vaporized by action of the heated exhaust gases in the manifold 11.

Water is supplied to the water chamber 25 from a Water containing receptacle or reservoir 2'7, the latter being suitably mounted in close proximity to the vaporgenerating device N and preferably at a higher level to permit the flow of water by action of gravity from the reservoir into the vapor-generating device. This reservoir 27 is preferably constructed of a suitable rigid material such as metal and is provided with a filler inlet having a suitable closure cap 28 for closing the inlet in sealed relation with respect to the exterior. The reservoir 27 is also provided with an outlet pipe 29 which preferably projects downwardly from the bottom of the reservoir. It is pointed out that the reservoir 27 will be sealed from the exterior and that no venting means are provided in this reservoir structure in the preferred embodiment.

An elongate flexible conduit 30 has one end thereof connected to the outlet pipe 29 of the reservoir 27 and has its other end connected in communicating relation to the uppermost end of an elongate inlet conduit or stand pipe 31. It will be seen that this stand pipe 31 projects downwardly through the upper end wall 16 and into the Water chamber 25. It will be noted that the lower end portion of this inlet conduit or stand pipe 31 terminates in close proximity but slightly above the discharge aperture 26. Since the reservoir 27 is completely sealed from the exterior, means must be provided to permit the entrance of air into the reservoir during the dispens'ing of water therefrom. If the volumetric space within the reservoir which is evacuated by the water does not have air introduced thereto, a negative pressure will be created which interferes with the dispensing of Water from the reservoir and in most cases will actually prevent any dispensing of water. Therefore to this end the upper end wall 16 of the housing 15 is vented at 32 so that the water chamber 25 actually communicates with the exterior. It will be noted that this opening or vent 32 is in that portion of the upper end wall 16 which constitutes the upper end closure for the hollow member 23. With this arrangement air may enter the water chamber 25 and pass through the lower end portion of the stand pipe 31 and into the reservoir 27. This escape of air through the stand pipe 31 will not occur unless the water within the water chamber 25 falls below the lower end of the stand pipe 31. Thus it will be seen that the amount of water discharged into the vapor chamber 18 and into the heating sump chamber 21 will be controlled by the cooperative action of the stand pipe 31, discharge aperture 26 and vent opening 32.

The Water chamber structure 23, the stand pipe 31, the discharge aperture 26 and vent opening 32 actually constitute a metering means for controlling the amount of water supplied to the heating sump chamber 21.

Means are also provided for conducting the water vapor from the vapor chamber 18 and into the air filter 14. To this end it will be seen that an outlet conduit or pipe 33 is connected to the upper end wall 16 in communicating relation with the vapor chamber 18. This outlet or pipe 33 is connected in communicating relation to one end of the flexible conduit 34 and the other end of this flexible conduit is connected to the inlet pipe 35 which is connected in communicating relation to the 1 air filter 14. Thus the steam generated within the vapor chamber 18 will pass through the discharge conduit means including the outlet pipe 33, the flexible conduit 34 and the inlet pipe or conduit 35 of the air filter 14.

Actually the discharge end of conduit 35 communicates with the air filter housing 14 interiorly of the filter element. Thus the vapor is discharged into that volumetric space of the air filter housing which is bounded exteriorly by the filter element. This arrangement permits highly effective mixing of the air and water vapor just prior of passage of this mixture into the carburetor. Thus efficient and effective use of the water vapor is accomplished Without accumulation of the Water vapor on the mesh of the filter element.

On some occasions the air introduced into the air filter will contain a relatively large amount of water vapor which actually occurs during periods when the relative humidity is high. Thus the introduction of water vapor into the air filter by my novel generating device will not increase the efficiency of the engine under these conditions so it is desirable to render the vaporgenerating device inoperative when such conditions prevail. To this end I have provided means responsive to changes of the relative humidity within the air filter for controlling the discharge of water vapor into the air filter.

Referring now to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the inlet pipe 35 which projects into the air filter 14 has a bracket 36 secured thereto. This bracket 36 is of right angular construction and has a leg portion 37 which is suitably apertured and through which the inlet pipe 35 projects. A small car 38 is affixed to the leg portion 37 of the bracket 36 and pivotally supports a conduit closure element 39 by means of a pivot at This conduit closure element 39 is preferably constructed of a rigid material such as metal and actually constitutes a flap type valve. A small car 49 is integrally formed with the conduit closure element 39 and is suitably apertured for connection to one end of a spring 4-1. The other end of the spring 41. is connected to an adjustment bolt 42, the latter threadedly engaging one end of an arm 43. to a shaft 4 2- which in the embodiment shown projects through the bracket 36. A coiled humidity responsive metallic member 45 is secured to the shaft 44 and is operable to cause revolving movement of the shaft 44 Thus it will be seen that when shaft 44 is revolved the arm 43 will be moved to cause similar movement of the conduit closure element 39.

It Will therefore be seen that when the arm 43 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 the conduit closure element will also be moved in a counterclockwise direction to thereby open the discharge end of the conduit 35. Alternatively moving of the arm 43 in a clockwise direction will cause corresponding movement of the closure element 39 to close the end of the conduit 35. The pressure responsive coiled element 45 is pre-set so that the discharge end of the conduit 35 is opened when the relative humidity within the air filter 14 is of a predetermined amount. Therefore when the relative humidity is increased, that is during fog, rain or other similar conditions the humidity responsive element 45 is operable to shift the closure element 39 to the conduit closed position. When this occurs the steam generated by my vapor-generating device will be prevented from passing into the air filter 14.

During operation of my novel and improved vaporgenerating device ltl, the reduced end portion 19 of the housing 15 is connected in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture 12 of the exhaust manifold 11. The housing is screwed into the exhaust manifold 11 the proper number of turns so that the desired amount of the heating sump chamber 21 is actually positioned within the exhaust manifold. It will be appreciated that the particular surface area of the heating sump chamber 21 which is exposed to the heated exhaust gases within the exhaust manifold will determine how quickly and how much steam or water vapor will be generated within the vapor chamber 18. It therefore may be desirable to make an initial setting and thereafter correct the setting in accordance with the particular vehicle engine. The lock nut 22 secures the housing 15 in upstanding mounted relation on the exhaust manifold 11.

Because of the particular construction of some engines the housing will necessarily be mounted on the exhaust manifold in oblique relation with respect to the horizontal.

Thereafter the conduit 30 is connected to the reservoir 27 and the conduit 34 is connected to the air filter 14. The reservoir will have been filled with water so that during operation of the engine, the exhaust gases will tend to very quickly heat the heating sump chamber 21 and steam will be generated within the vapor chamber 18 and will be conducted through the outlet conduit means into the air filter 14. The turbulent action of the air within the air filter causes very rapid and very The arm 43 has its other end secured effective mixing of the water vapor with this air prior to the passage of the mixed water vapor and air into the carburetor. Therefore the mixed air and water vapor will thereafter pass through the carburetor and will be mixed with the atomized gasoline. It has been found that adding the water vapor directly into the discharge throat of the carburetor while increasing the combustion of the engine does not produce the results as when the water vapor is very thoroughly and effectively mixed with the air which is supplied to the carburetor. It will be seen that water will be continuously supplied through the stand pipe 31 and into the water chamber 25 but that the close cooperative relation between the discharge end of the stand pipe 31, the discharge aperture 26 and the inlet 32 prevent flooding of water within the vapor chamber 18. As pointed out above a predetermined amount of water will be metered to the water chamber 25 by the metering means defined by water chamber structure 23, the stand pipe 31, the discharge aperture 26 and the vent opening 32.

It has been found that very little water vapor is needed to increase the efficicncy of the engine. It has further been found as pointed out above that water vapor must be effectively distributed within a predetermined volume of gasoline and air to produce this increased efficiency of the engine. It will therefore be seen that this effective distribution of the water vapor is produced within the air filter because of the turbulent action of the air therewithin. Adding the Water vapor in controlled amounts to the air which is supplied to the carburetor, more efficient combustion of the gasoline is achieved during operation of the engine so that the partially burned hydro-carbons are quantitatively reduced.

From the foregoing it will be noted that if the engine E is operated in an area of high humidity the humidity responsive element 45 will cause shifting of the closure element or flap valve 39 in a direction to close the discharge end of the conduit 35 with respect to the interior of the air filter 14. This prevents the discharge of vapor into the air filter under these conditions but automatically opens the discharge conduit in the event that the relative humidity within the air filter drops below a predetermined level. Thus when an operator drives a vehicle incorporating my novel vapor-generating device through conditions of relatively high humidity such as fog, rain and the like, the vapor-generating device will automatically be rendered inoperative for supplying air to the air filter. Thus it will be seen that I have provided means which is automatically operable to prevent an excess amount of water vapor to the air filter or mixture with the intake air therein.

It Will therefore be seen that I have provided a novel vapor-generating attachment for use with conventional internal combustion engines, which serves to reduce water vapor and supply the same to the air filter whereby thorough mixing of the water vapor and air is accomplished prior to introducing the mixed air and water vapor into the carburetor.

It will also be seen that my novel and improved vapor-generating device may be vertically adjusted so that the optimum amount of water vapor for a given conventional engine may be produced.

It will also be seen that my novel and improved vapor-generating device is comprised of very few parts and may be readily installed within any conventional internal combustion engine and functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It Will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter through which air a 6 is supplied to the carburetor and having an exhaust manifold provided with an aperture therein,

a vapor generating device comprising an elongate closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin, said housing having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, the interior of which defines a heating sump chamber communicating with said vapor chamber,

cooperating attachment means on the exhaust manifold and said housing respectively for adjustably mounting the latter on the exhaust manifold so that the reduced end portion projects into the exhaust manifold,

means defining a metering mechanism for automatically metering a predetermined amount of water into said heating sump chamber including a closed hollow water-chamber-defining structure mounted within said housing and having a discharge aperture therein disposed in close proximity to said heating sump chamber, said structure having an air vent therein communicating with the exterior,

an elongate inlet conduit having one end portion thereof projecting into said water-chamber-defining structure and terminating in close proximity to said discharge aperture, and having its other end extending outwardly of said housing,

a water-containing reservoir structure sealed from the exterior and having a discharge outlet connected in communicating relation with said other end of the inlet conduit whereby a predetermined amount of water will be automatically and continuously metered into said heating sump chamber and thereafter readily vaporized,

and an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected to said housing and in communicating relation with said vapor chamber, and having its other end connected to the air filter to thereby permit the passage of Water vapor from said vapor chamber to said outlet conduit and into said air filter for mixture with the air therewithin.

2. In combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter to which air is supplied to the carburetor, and having an exhaust manifold provided with an aperture therein,

a vapor generating device comprising an elongate, closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin, said housing having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, the interior of Which defines a heating sump chamber therewithin communicating with said vapor chamber,

cooperating attachment means on said reduced end portion and the exhaust manifold respectively for adjustably mounting said housing on said exhaust manifold so that said reduced end portion projects into the exhaust manifold,

means defining a metering mechanism for automatically metering a predetermined amount of water into said heating sump chamber and including an elongate closed hollow structure mounted in longitudinally extending relation Within said housing and having a transversely opening discharge aperture therein adjacent one end portion thereof communicating with said vapor chamber, said hollow structure having an air vent therein communicating with the exterior,

an elongate inlet conduit having one end portion thereof projecting into said hollow structure terminating in close proximity to said discharge aperture and having its other end extending outwardly of said housing,

a water-containing reservoir structure sealed from the exterior and having a discharge outlet connected in communicating relation with said other end of the inlet conduit whereby a predetermined amount of water will be metered to said heating sump chamber and will thereafter be readily vaporized,

, and an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected to said housing in communicating relation with said vapor chamber and having its other end connected to the air filter to thereby permit the passage of water vapor from the vapor chamber through said outlet conduit and into said air filter for mixture with air therewithin.

3, In combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter through which air is supplied to the carburetor and having an exhaust manifold provided with an upwardly opening aperture therein,

a vapor generating device comprising an elongate closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin, said housing having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, the interior of said reduced end portion defining a heating sump chamber therewi'thin communicating with said vapor chamber,

cooperating attachment means on said reduced end portion and the exhaust manifold respectively for adiustably mounting said housing in upstanding relation on said manifold so that the reduced end portion extends through said aperture in the manifold,

means defining a metering mechanism for automatically 1 metering a predetermined amount of water into said heating'sump chamber and including an elongate closed hollow structure mounted in vertically extending relation within said housing and having its lower end portion terminating in close proximity to the lower end portion of the housing, said hollow structure defining a Water chamber therewithin and having a discharge aperture in its lower end portion thereof communicating with said vapor chamber, and having an air vent therein adjacent the other end portion thereof,

an elongate vertically disposed inlet conduit projecting downwardly into said water chamber and having its lower end terminating above but in close proximity to said discharge aperture, and having its other end projecting outwardly of said housing,

a water-containing reservoir structure sealed from the exterior and having a discharge outlet connected in communicating relation with the other end of said inlet conduit whereby a predetermined amount of Water will be :metered from said Water reservoir structure and into said heating sump chamber and thereafter readily vaporized,

and elongate outlet conduit having one end portion thereof connected to said housing adjacent the upper portion thereof and in communicating relation with said vapor chamber, and having its other end connected to the air filter to thereby permit the passage of Water vapor from said vapor chamber through said outlet conduit and into said air filter for mixture with the air therein.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said discharge aperture and said hollow structure opens transversely of said hollow structure.

5. In combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter through which air is supplied to the carburetor, and having an exhaust manifold provided with an upwardly opening aperture therein,

a vapor generating device comprising an elongate, closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin, said housing having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, said reduced end portion defining a heating sump chamber therewithin communicating with said vapor chamber,

said reduced end portion being exteriorly threaded for threaded engagement with a threaded aperture in the exhaust manifold to permit mounting of said housing and vertically adjustable relation on the exhaust manifold so that the reduced end portion thereof projects into the interior of the exhaust manifold, means defining a metering mechanism for automatical- 1y metering a predetermined amount of water into said heating sump chamber and including an elongate closed hollow member mounted in vertically extending relation Within said housing and having its lower end portion terminating in close proximity to the lower end portion of the housing, said hollow member defining a water chamber therewithin and having a discharge aperture therein adjacent the lower end portion thereof communicating with said vapor chamber, and having an air vent therein adjacent the upper end portion thereof,

an elongate vertically disposed inlet conduit having one end portion thereof projecting into said water chamber and terminating above but in close proximity to said discharge aperture and having its other end portion extending outwardly of said housing,

a Water-containing reservoir structure sealed from the exterior and having a discharge outlet connected in communicating relation with said other end of the inlet conduit whereby a predetermined amount of water will be metered into said heating sump chamber and thereafter readily vaporized,

and an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected to said housing adjacent the upper portion thereof and in communicating relation with said vapor chamber, and having its other end connected to the air filter to thereby permit the passage of water vapor from said vapor chamber through said outlet conduit and into said air filter for mixture with the air therewithin.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 and a valve element mounted adjacent the discharge end of the outlet conduit and being shiftable between conduit closing and open positions with respect to the outlet conduit,

and an actuating element operatively connected with said valve element being shiftable in response to changes of relative humidity within the air filter to move said valve element between conduit open and closed positions with respect to said outlet conduit.

7. ln combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter through which air is supplied to the carburetor and having an exhaust manifold provided with an aperture therein,

a vapor-generating device comprising an elongate closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin and having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, the interior of said reduced end portion defining a heating sump chamber therewithin communicating with said vapor chamber,

cooperating attachment means on the exhaust manifold and housing respectively for adjustably mounting the latter on the exhaust manifold so that the reduced end portion thereof projects into the exhaust manifold,

an elongate inlet conduit having one end portion thereof connected in communicating relation with said vapor chamber and having its other end connected to a source of water,

an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected to the housing in communicating relation with said vapor chamber and having its other end projecting into the air filter whereby water flowing into the housing will be readily vaporized within the vapor chamber for passage through the outlet conduit and into the air filter for mixture with the air therewithin,

a valve element shiftably mounted adjacent the discharge end of the outlet conduit and being readily shiftable between conduit closing and open positions with respect to the outlet conduit,

and an actuating element positioned within the air filter and being operatively connected with said valve element, and being shiftable in response to changes of relative humidity within the air filter to move said valve element between conduit open and close positions with respect to said outlet conduit.

9 8. In combination with a conventional internal combustion engine having an air filter through which air is supplied to the carburetor and having an exhaust manifold provided with an aperture therein,

a vapor-generating device comprising an elongate closed hollow housing defining a vapor chamber therewithin and having one end portion thereof of reduced cross sectional area, the interior of said reduced end portion defining a heating sump chamber therewithin communicating with said vapor chamber,

cooperating attachment means on the exhaust manifold and housing respectively for adjustably mounting the latter on the exhaust manifold so that the reduced end portion thereof projects into the exhaust mani told,

an elongate inlet conduit having one end portion thereof connected in communicating relation with said vapor chamber and having its other end connected to a source of Water,

an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected to the housing in communicating relation With said vapor chamber and having its other end projecting into the air filter whereby water flowing into the housing will be readily vaporized within the vapor chamber for passage through the outlet conduit and 1% into the air filter :for mixture with the air therewithin,

a valve element shiftably mounted in flow controlling relation With respect to the discharge end of the outlet conduit and being readily shiftable between conduit open and closed positions with respect to the outlet conduit, and being normally disposed in the conduit open position,

and an actuating element positioned within the air filter in close proximity to and operatively connected with said valve element, said actuating element be ing operative in response to an increase of the relative humidity within the air filter beyond a predetermined optimum amount to shift said valve element from the normally conduit open position to the conduit closed position with respect to the outlet conduit to thereby prevent the passage of steam into the air filter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,623,452 Wight Apr. 5, :1927 1,730,089 Nimnick Oct. 1, 1929 1,981,891 VVoermann Nov. 27, 1934 2,063,130 Shoeve Dec. 8, 1936 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CONVENTIONAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING AN AIR FILTER THROUGH WHICH AIR IS SUPPLIED TO THE CARBURETOR AND HAVING AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE THEREIN, A VAPOR GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE CLOSED HOLLOW HOUSING DEFINING A VAPOR CHAMBER THEREWITHIN, SAID HOUSING HAVING ONE END PORTION THEREOF OF REDUCED CROSS SECTIONAL AREA, THE INTERIOR OF WHICH DEFINES A HEATING SUMP CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID VAPOR CHAMBER, COOPERATING ATTACHMENT MEANS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SAID HOUSING RESPECTIVELY FOR ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING THE LATTER ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SO THAT THE REDUCED END PORTION PROJECTS INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, MEANS DEFINING A METERING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY METERING A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF WATER INTO SAID HEATING SUMP CHAMBER INCLUDING A CLOSED HOLLOW WATER-CHAMBER-DEFINING STRUCTURE MOUNTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING A DISCHARGE APERTURE THEREIN DISPOSED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID HEATING SUMP CHAMBER, SAID STRUCTURE HAVING AN AIR VENT THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR, AN ELONGATE INLET CONDUIT HAVING ONE END PORTION THEREOF PROJECTING INTO SAID WATER-CHAMBER-DEFINING STRUCTURE AND TERMINATING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID DISCHARGE APERTURE, AND HAVING ITS OTHER END EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID HOUSING, A WATER-CONTAINING RESERVOIR STRUCTURE SEALED FROM THE EXTERIOR AND HAVING A DISCHARGE OUTLET CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATING RELATION WITH SAID OTHER END OF THE INLET CONDUIT WHEREBY A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF WATER WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY AND CONTINUOUSLY METERED INTO SAID HEATING SUMP CHAMBER AND THEREAFTER READILY VAPORIZED, AND AN ELONGATE OUTLET CONDUIT HAVING ONE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING AND IN COMMUNICATING RELATION WITH SAID VAPOR CHAMBER, AND HAVING ITS OTHER END CONNECTED TO THE AIR FILTER TO THEREBY PERMIT THE PASSAGE OF WATER VAPOR FROM SAID VAPOR CHAMBER TO SAID OUTLET CONDUIT AND INTO SAID AIR FILTER FOR MIXTURE WITH THE AIR THEREWITHIN. 